Debugging a Failing Test Entirely from the Terminal with GitHub Copilot CLI

Source: Dev.to

What I Built

I built DevFlow, a minimal TypeScript + Node.js project designed to demonstrate a terminal‑first debugging workflow using GitHub Copilot CLI.
The project intentionally includes a failing unit test. Using natural‑language prompts in the terminal, I asked Copilot CLI to:

1. Diagnose the failure
2. Explain the root cause
3. Apply a precise fix
4. Verify the solution

All steps were performed without opening an editor. The goal is not application complexity but to showcase how GitHub Copilot CLI accelerates real debugging workflows directly from the command line.

Demo

Below is the full terminal‑based demo showing how GitHub Copilot CLI was used end‑to‑end: from detecting a failing test to fixing it and validating the result.

(Demo content omitted for brevity)

My Experience with GitHub Copilot CLI

• Using GitHub Copilot CLI felt like having a debugging partner directly inside the terminal.
• Natural‑language debugging without leaving the terminal.
• Clear explanations, not just code changes.
• Minimal, auditable edits ideal for PRs and reviews.
• Terminal‑first workflow that fits real developer habits.

I used GitHub Copilot CLI to diagnose, fix, and verify a failing test entirely from the terminal using natural language. This experience showed how GitHub Copilot CLI can significantly reduce debugging time while keeping developers in control.